Nigeria 2008 Crime & Safety Report

Indiscriminant violent crime is common throughout Nigeria. The U.S. Department of State considers criminal elements to be a critical threat to U.S. interests. Murder, armed robbery, carjacking, residential burglaries and financial fraud all take place throughout the country. Confrontation does not deter criminals, as they are often armed in the event that they do meet resistance. Therefore, criminals will not hesitate to use violence if they perceive resistance on the part of their victim. To date, U.S. travelers have not been specifically targeted, but due to the widespread poverty and perception of Western affluence, U.S. travelers should take extra precaution when traveling throughout the country. Most recently, a U.S. Mission employee was the victim of an armed carjacking while traveling outside of Abuja.

Due to the current U.S. security posture in Abuja, all U.S. personnel under Chief of Mission authority must receive approval from the Regional Security Office prior to any official or personal travel outside of Abuja. Driving outside of the major cities during hours of darkness is severely restricted. It should also be noted that travel outside of Abuja is significantly more dangerous. Road conditions deteriorate quickly and police support becomes limited. Travel to rural areas should be undertaken with caution and scheduled with return to Abuja before dusk. Poorly maintained roads and vehicles are a danger to all travelers. Traffic lights within the city of Abuja function sporadically. Locals drive aggressively and speed excessively. Local driving habits are unpredictable and risky. Public transportation, such as bus and taxi service, is prohibited. Always use a reliable car hire service if personal transportation is not available.

 

Although Americans have generally not been targets of political violence in Nigeria, indigenous terrorists and criminal groups have become more vocal in expressing their intent to kidnap Westerners, to include Americans, in the Niger Delta region. Instances of anti-American rhetoric by Islamic clerics in the north have been reported in the media. While fewer ethnic, religious and political conflicts have been reported throughout the year, political violence still remains an ever present threat in the region.

 

The potential for civil unrest has decreased since the April 2007 national elections. Although the potential for an uprising remains a possibility, tension appears to have eased somewhat in Abuja. To the south, the possibility of an uprising remains constant as the struggle over oil production continues. The poor economic conditions throughout the country contribute to the general dissatisfaction of the people.

 

Efforts to combat regional terrorism and organized crime continue to prove challenging for Nigeria. Corruption is rampant and regional terrorism remains a significant threat. The Nigerian Government has been making positive steps towards prosecuting corrupt individuals within the government, but it remains an ongoing struggle.

Local media continues to report on arrests made by the Nigeria State Security Service (SSS) of individuals suspected of having ties with international terrorist groups. Most recently in November 2007, a group of militants with suspected ties to Al-Qaeda in Northern Nigeria was arrested by the SSS. International terrorism is a continuing threat in Nigeria.

Post Specific Concerns

Driving in Nigeria is a major safety concern and travel should be scheduled during daylight hours only. Automobile accidents involving passenger buses, taxis, and personally owned vehicles occur frequently. Approximately 400 people are killed in traffic accidents in Nigeria per month. The actual number is believed to be much higher, but due to a lack of centralized traffic accident reporting, many are not documented. Although traffic laws do exist, the laws are rarely enforced. The lack of traffic law enforcement, poorly maintained roads and unpredictable driving habits add to the risk of travel. Vehicular accidents frequently draw large and confrontational crowds. All of these elements provide an advantage for criminals. In addition to the criminal dangers of travel in the country, the lack of medical response or adequate trauma facilities is a concern for all motorists. Travelers should also be aware of the dangers of air travel in Nigeria. There have been a number of plane crashes and near misses that have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of airline travelers.

Kidnappings continue to be a major concern in the oil rich Delta State. Westerners have been and continue to be targets for militants in the area. Travel to the Delta region by U.S. Mission employees requires Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission or Consul General approval. There have been no recent reports of American citizens being kidnapped in the north and central parts of Nigeria.

Due to the lack of border control throughout the country, drug running and narcotics-related terrorism are legitimate concerns for Nigeria. Nigeria is a growing transit point for narcotics. Drug use by local citizens is not that common though.

Despite a visible police presence in Abuja, the police response is limited. Local authorities continue to be plagued by a serious lack of resources, including; communication equipment and transportation assets. Patrols of residential neighborhoods do not exist. Local authorities are well intentioned, but lack the necessary training and resources to conduct successful investigations. Usually, victims must maintain close contact to move an investigation forward. Crime labs and facilities to process evidence do not exist in Abuja. At this time, there is no reliable national emergency number. It is recommended that an individual locate the nearest police station and inquire as to the contact phone number for that particular station. Attached below is a link to the U.S Department of State Travel Information website on help for American victims of crime overseas: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies1748.html

 

If arrested, it is best if the detainee cooperates and maintains composure when interacting with local officials. Under existing conventions which Nigeria has ratified, the Government of Nigeria is required to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate within 24 hours of an American citizen being detained. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to inform local authorities of U.S. citizenship. Normally a detainee is not provided meals by local authorities, so it is necessary that a U.S. citizen in custody contact the American Citizen Services Unit (ACS) at the Embassy or Consulate General to make meal arrangements.

Emergency medical services and response teams are minimal in Abuja and there are no U.S. Government or U.S. military medical facilities in this area of West Africa. Although multiple hospitals and clinics exist in the Abuja area, none have been associated with U.S. medical care standards. For a serious medical emergency, it is recommended that an air ambulance service be requested and the patient transferred to National Hospital, Abuja or Abuja Clinics Limited for stabilization prior to evacuation. For information pertaining to air ambulance services, please visit the following website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures1215.html  

Abuja
National Hospital, Abuja
Plot 132 Yakubu Pam Street
Central Business District
Abuja, Nigeria
234-09-627-2686/2687/2688
www.nationalhospitalabuja.net

  
Abuja Clinics Limited
Number 22 Amazon Street
Maitama District
Abuja, Nigeria
234-09-413-7020/7199
www.abujaclinics.com

Abia State
Obioma Hospital
21 School Road
Umuahia, Nigeria
234-088-222189

Benue State
Queens Clinic
16 Railway Close
Makurdi, Nigeria
234-044-533365

Borno State
Zaman Clinic
74 Kukawa Road
Maiduguri, Nigeria
234-076 -23 1423

Enugu State
Imperial Specialist Hospital
Plot 5 Imperial Hospital Drive
China Town, Asata, Enugu, Nigeria
234-042-253790

Gombe State
Doma Hospital
5 Commercial Area
Gombe, Nigeria
234-372-223242

Abdul Medical Centre
5 Donga Street
Jalingo, Nigeria
234-079-222533

 

Kaduna State
Tim Unity Hospital and Maternity
BZ5, Sadauna Crescent
Kaduna, Nigeria
234-362-248193

Mends Hospital and Aviation Center
5 Abakiari Close
Kaduna, Nigeria
234-062-213996

Oxford Hospital, Inc.
38 Airforce Samaru Road
Kaduna, Nigeria
234-062-233408

 

Premier Clinic
81st Avenue
Gyadi Gyadi, Kano, Nigeria
234-364-669966

Kogi State
Niger Hospital
12B Ibrahim Babangida Way
Lokoja, Nigeria
234-058-220607

Kwara State
Olanrewaju Hospital
5 Oro-Ayo Close
Sabo Oke, Ilorin, Nigeria
234-031-223578

Nassarawa State
Sauki Hospital
51 Shendam Road
Lafia, Nigeria
234-074-22 0746

Plateau State
Adoosa Specialist Center
25 Ibrahim Dasuki Street
Jos-Plateau State, Nigeria
234-073-458691

Visitors to Abuja are advised to practice the same security precautions they would in any large city. Visitors should be vigilant and maintain awareness at all times in crowded areas. It is also recommended that visitors adhere to the following suggestions:

All Americans should register with the American Citizen Services upon arrival. The U.S. Embassy Abuja is located at Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District Abuja, Nigeria, 234-09-461-4000 http://abuja.usembassy.gov  Embassy Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The U.S. Embassy is closed on local and U.S. holidays. American Citizen Services Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. For after hours assistance, contact the Embassy at the above listed number and ask to speak with the Mission Duty Officer. Marine Guard Post One may be reached by calling the embassy operator at the telephone number listed above in this section.

 

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